US Senator Rand Paul says bill would claw back $631m from Afghanistan

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Rand Paul

Amu: US Senator Rand Paul said on Thursday that proposed legislation would claw back $631 million earmarked for Afghanistan reconstruction and permanently block US taxpayer money from reaching the Taliban. “If H.R. 260 becomes law, $631 million meant for Afghanistan reconstruction will be clawed back to the Treasury,” Paul said in a statement, adding that “not another dollar should ever reach the Taliban” after two decades of war. Paul said the bill, known as the No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act, would end what he described as Washington’s “blind commitment” to Afghanistan-related spending and tighten safeguards on the relocation of Afghans to the United States, arguing that national security must take priority. Click here to read more (external link).

Australia to Suspend Afghanistan Embassy Operations

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Khaama: Australia’s Foreign Ministry announced the Afghanistan embassy in Canberra will be suspended after June 30, 2026, following an agreement on an orderly and dignified transition process. The Afghanistan embassy in Australia has been among the last diplomatic missions worldwide still operating under credentials from the pre-August 2021 government. Most countries have closed Afghanistan embassies or allowed them to operate in diplomatic limbo, neither recognizing Taliban authority nor fully severing ties, creating challenges for Afghanistan’s citizens abroad who need consular services like passport renewals and document authentication. Click here to read more (external link).

Clash On Tajikistan–Afghanistan Border Leaves 3 Dead

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Afghanistan International: Tajik border guards clashed with a group of armed men along the border with Afghanistan, leaving three of the suspects dead, the state-run Khovar news agency reported. Khovar, which operates under the Tajik presidency, said the men were smugglers who had crossed illegally from Afghanistan into Tajikistan. Click here to read more (external link).

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Afghanistan futsal rout Malaysia to reach Asian Cup knockout stage

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Amu: Afghanistan’s national futsal team booked a place in the knockout stage of the Asian Cup on Friday with a 7-0 win over Malaysia in their second group match in Jakarta. Afghanistan will face Iran in their final group match on Sunday. The AFC Futsal Asian Cup is being held in Indonesia with 16 teams competing, with matches taking place in the capital, Jakarta. Click here to read more (external link).

Other Sports News

WHO Announces Opening of 70-Bed Hospital for Cancer Treatment in Kabul

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8am: The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the opening of a 70-bed hospital for cancer patients in Kabul, which will provide services such as chemotherapy, cancer surgery, radiology, and laboratory services. The organization wrote on its X page on Thursday, January 29, 2026, that with the support of the European Union in Afghanistan, the opening of this hospital is considered an important step in providing easier access for citizens of Afghanistan to cancer treatment services. Click here to read more (external link).

Investors warn of heavy losses as Pakistan border closure drags on

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Amu: Afghanistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Investment said prolonged border closures with Pakistan have inflicted heavy losses on both countries, warning that bilateral trade has become politicised as disruptions enter a fourth month. Members of the chamber’s board said Pakistan is losing about $200 million a month due to the closures, which have been in place for around 107 days, severely affecting imports of key goods that Afghanistan depends on from Pakistan. “Pakistan needs us and we need Pakistan, but unfortunately trade has become political and that is why the routes are closed,” said Khan Jan Alokozay, a board member of the chamber. He said Taliban authorities were prepared to reopen the crossings if guarantees were put in place to prevent future closures linked to political or security disputes. Click here to read more (external link).

Taliban-Linked Cleric Calls For ‘Jihad’ In Pakistan, Central Asia

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Taliban militants (file photo)

Afghanistan International: Sher Ali Hamad made the comments at a funeral in Guldara district for a man identified as Ayoub, also known as Zakir. In his speech, Hamad described the political systems of Central Asian states and Pakistan as “parliamentary and infidel,” and called for the overthrow of those governments to establish Islamic rule. He said he would not rest until “the flag of Islam” was raised in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad. Click here to read more (external link).